Untitled Sermon (5)

DEBATE CAN BE GOOD but our goal is make clear the way of Christ by combating false teaching.

REMIND/CHARGE/WARN

2 Timothy 2:14 CSB

14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to fight about words. This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen.

There was false teaching in the church in that day just like there is false teaching that affects the church today. One the things that we have to wrestle with is how do we deal with these false teachings?

Paul gives Timothy. and us, two things to commit to as we think about this.

1. Warning (the pastor’s job is to teach, shepherd, and protect ei “Feed My Sheep”)

the church ought to take heed and follow (as I follow Christ)

he is not telling him to not confront false teaching (more on this later), but he is telling him to not get into word battles with them.

False teachers are too often more concerned with sounding right than being right and when confronted with truth they will reject it because it doesn't fit their narrative.

This is why we must guard ourselves that we do not lose focus of what really matters

Romans 16:17–18 CSB

17 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them, 18 because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.

I’ve said this before “i good sounding lie is still a lie”.

*What we ought to be looking for in anyone’s speaking, is the testimony of Christ.

BE DILIGENT

2 Timothy 2:15 CSB

15 Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.

Instead of spending an over abundance of our time in “word battles” we ought to spend an abundance of our time in the Word battling (be diligent).

“Study the lies they can make more lies up. Study the truth and you can know when the lie comes”-Bizzle

We ought to be serious about the Word.

Illustration: Going for 500lbs (covid/shoulder=still not ashamed of the effort, wanting only God’s will)

2 Timothy 2:16–18 CSB

16 Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness, 17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them. 18 They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are ruining the faith of some.

AVOID EMPTY SPEECH V. 16

Avoid=go around/shun (does not mean to be unaware)

Titus 3:9–11 (CSB)

9 But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless.

10 Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning.

11 For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.

*Second and third is not to be taking literally

Hymenaeus and Philetus

2 Timothy 2:17–18 (CSB)

17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them.

18 They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are ruining the faith of some.

The House of the Lord and Vessel

2 Timothy 2:19–21 CSB

19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, and let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness. 20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable use and some for dishonorable. 21 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

Plates or trashcans

Purify does not mean salvation here, only God can do that. But our response to God ought to be one of willful service in light of the grace that we have recieved. Not to obtain something from but because of what we have obtained from Him.

In other words there are some things that we must reject so that we can serve Him.

FLEE AND PURSUE V. 22

2 Timothy 2:22 CSB

22 Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Romans 13:14 CSB

14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.

REJECT FOOLISHNESS V. 23

2 Timothy 2:23 CSB

23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels.

OUR ATTITUDE

2 Timothy 2:24–26 CSB

24 The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.